What did you think of the ending of “Stranger Things”? Audiences waited years for the show to reveal what finally happens with its beloved characters, but as always happens when a popular series concludes, some fans were satisfied with the ending while others were left wanting. But a small but vocal segment of fans isn’t so convinced that “Stranger Things” has really ended at all, giving way to a conspiracy theory that “Stranger Things” is releasing one final episode after the so-called series finale.

The fan theory dedicated to the idea that Netflix will soon release a new episode of “Stranger Things” has even taken on a name: Conformity Gate. The movement first sprang up on TikTok, where eagle-eyed viewers insisted they saw clues in the “Stranger Things” finale that the show was going to release another episode.

In essence, the theory holds that the happy flash-forward ending of the show is really an illusion created by Vecna, who, in reality, was the winner of the final battle. Fans say that details like the clasping of the audience’s hands during the graduation scene, or the adding up of numbers on dice, mean that a secret episode of the show is on the way.

Unfortunately for Conformity Gate truthers, the supposed extra episode of “Stranger Things” was due to be released on Tuesday, Jan. 7. A quick search of the Netflix archives shows that no such new episode has been released, seemingly putting an end to the conspiracy theory.

More fortunately for fans of the franchise is the fact that “Stranger Things” characters will live on. In May, Netflix announced that a new animated series set in Hawkins, Indiana, will be making its way to fans soon, so fans clearly aren’t done with the “Stranger Things” universe yet. However, it seems plain that there was never any intention of releasing a secret “Stranger Things” episode, to the disappointment of many online fans.

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